Augustana says head football coach let go

Augustana says head football coach let go

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) Augustana College has fired head football coach Mike Aldrich.

The South Dakota school released a statement Tuesday saying Aldrich and his offensive coordinator, Steve Olinger, have been let go.

Aldrich did not immediately return messages left by The Associated Press.

Augustana Athletic Director Bill Gross says the search for a new head coach would begin immediately.

Aldrich was Augustana's head coach for three seasons, compiling a record of 22-13. He led the Vikings to their best season in school history in his debut season, when the team went 11-2 and made the NCAA Division II playoffs. Augustana lost to eventual national champion Minnesota Duluth.

The Vikings finished 5-6 this season. They lost their final three home games of the year, one to city rival University of Sioux Falls.

Local artist Taylor Kampa has taken her love for the Washington Capitals and turned it into works of art.

You can find paintings done by Kampa of Alex Ovechkin, Tom Wilson, Nicklas Backstrom, T.J. Oshie, John Carlson and Braden Holtby on display at Circa Chinatown – a restaurant neighboring Capital One Arena – along with other D.C. celebrities.

A professional artist for the last decade, Kampa told NHL.com that the pictures were "passion projects," and took about eight hours to finish. She became a fan of the Caps after she began dating her now-husband back in 2009.

Her work has even caught the eye of The Great Eight. After posting a video to Instagram of her painting Ovechkin hoisting the Stanley Cup, the Conn Smythe Trophy winner liked and commented on it.

"It has been amazing sharing something that I am excited about that resonates with the people in my city," Kampa said. "I've been painting these portraits for a long time, so it's awesome to have them seen by so many people."

Kampa will also create paintings for the Capitals foundation's annual Casino Night fundraiser next year.